Donegal

Things to Do in Donegal

Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park is one of the six beautiful national parks in Ireland. Situated in the Northwest of Co. Donegal, Glenveagh encompasses some 16,000 hectares in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Such a great wilderness is the haunt of many interesting plants and animals. These lands were managed as a private deer forest before becoming a national park in 1975. With the completion of public facilities, Glenveagh National Park was officially opened to the public in 1986.

Malin Head

Malin Head is located on the Inishowen Peninsula, Co. Donegal. Here you will find the most northern point of the whole island of Ireland. The northernmost tip is the headland named Dúnalderagh (Banba’s Crown). The views in this area are spectacular and it is a place that any tourist must visit when they come to Donegal.

Glenevin Waterfall (Clonmany)

This amazing waterfall is located at the top of a short 2km hike through the woods in Clonmany. There are picnic areas on the way to the waterfall which blend in beautifully with the natural landscape. Footbridges towards the waterfall are dotted along the track as visitors criss-cross the stream using the stepping stones.

Mount Errigal

Mount Errigal is a beautiful mountain near Gweedore in Co. Donegal. It is both the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains and of all the peaks in the county. Errigal is also the most southern, steepest and highest of the mountain chain, called the Seven Sisters by locals. The mountain is beautiful in both summer and winter and is a must-see.

Narin & Portnoo Beach

One of Ireland’s finest beaches! This beach has everything: beautiful sand, peninsulas and hills in the background. It is an absolute gem and should not be under-estimated. Anyone who has been there will know what we are talking about.

There’s something about Donegal ... still

Hoteliers Deirdre McGlone and Marc Gysling tell SIOBHÁN BREANACH about starting a new work and life chapter with their family in France against the backdrop of the pandemic

While Covid put a stop to much of life and travel, the one thing it couldn’t steal was our dreams.

Hoteliers Deirdre McGlone and Marc Gysling know this all too well. After more than 30 years running the gorgeous Harvey’s Point in Donegal, the couple sold up two years ago before taking a trip to France in February 2020 to celebrate their wedding anniversary. And it was love at first sight when, on Valentine’s Day, they stumbled upon an old mill in the south west of France. They knew instantly that it would be their next project. The 700 year-old mill, Le Moulin sur Célé, is a luxury self-catering holiday villa in the Lot Valley. The riverside accommodation, located north of Toulouse in Saint-Sulpice, sleeps 12 people with a private swimming pool and tennis court. The perfect place for Deirdre and Marc to begin their retirement business, embrace a family first ethos and enjoy a different pace of life. But just as the couple were preparing to sprinkle a little of their Irish magic on this corner of the continent, Covid call calling with its lockdown cards in tow. But rather than stalling plans, used the time to enjoy being in Donegal a little longer, while also focusing on building a network of potential guests from around the world. “I come from the south of Switzerland and lived for a few years on a wine farm,” Marc says. “The climate is special. You have good winters, plenty of snow, and a good summer so where ever the wine grows I’ll go,” he jokes. “Ireland will still be a home for all of us as the kids grow up and finish school,” adds Deirdre. “We’ll not lose connection with Donegal.” The pair will go back and forth to France over the next couple of years. While dreams of making wine in their own vineyard might have to go on hold for now, it’s given them and their three teenage children more time to enjoy the best of Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way. “Walking along the shores of Lough Eske kept us sane during Covid 5km restrictions,” Deirdre says. “We also enjoyed exploring the Ardnamona Nature Reserve just beside us as well as doing the Famine Pot Loop Walk. “Thankfully, restrictions are slowly lifting and our first port of call will be to Wild Ireland wildlife park in Burnfoot, Co. Donegal. “This exciting place is the newest animal

sanctuary in Ireland and home to rescued bears, wolves, lynx and wild boar.” Deirdre says people are never short of a friendly welcome in Donegal – no doubt a sentiment she will be want to replicate once they arrive back at their beloved new mill. She’s also keen to introduce some local products to their new holiday accommodation venture. “Donegal is famous for its rugged landscape, Donegal tweed and Donegal products such as Silkie whiskey,” she says. “I always say that the people make the place and in Donegal, this is most certainly the case. “There is a natural warmth and friendliness here, we are genuinely glad to welcome visitors to our beloved county. “It’s with pride and pleasure that we share our hospitality and wonderful accommodation and food.”

Live like a local Deirdre McGlone’s travel tips

The Blue Stack Mountains

We are lucky to be living at the foot of the majestic Blue Stack Mountains. Unfortunately, or fortunately, this area is not a tourist hotspot but many locals are aware of the beauty and rich history associated with the Blue Stack Mountains (the Croaghgorms in Irish). A short hike brings you to a dramatic waterfall, further on, there is Lough Belshade, a hidden lake up in the middle of the mountains. Legend has it that Red Hugh O’Donnell’s treasure is buried in the lake and allegedly a demon black cat is there to protect it! There is also the wreckage from a RAF plane that crashed on the mountain in 1944. On descending from the mountain, the panoramic views of Lough Eske are impressive.

Lough Eske

Right on our doorstep is the beautiful Lough Eske (lake of fish). It’s home to Harvey’s Point, our beloved hotel, where we spent 30 years of happy hotel-keeping, and another fine hotel located nearby - Lough Eske Castle Hotel. There are lots of lovely walks in the area and nature is at her best from season to season.

Lough Eske is famous for its rare Artic Char fish not to mention the Lough Eske monster!

The secret waterfall

We shouldn’t mention where it is located as it’s supposed to be a secret. Suffice it to say that it is situated somewhere between Killybegs and Kilcar. It’s on the Slieve League peninsula. It’s not easy to find but well worth the effort. On entering the cave, you feel you are in another world. It’s very important only to visit this spot at low tide.

Slieve League

This is one of the iconic tourist attractions of Donegal and a signature point on the Wild Atlantic Way. It stands at almost 600 metres, one of the highest sea cliffs on the island of Ireland. Although less famous than the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare, Slieve League’s cliffs reach almost three times higher. We have climbed Slieve League many times and each time, it’s a special experience to breath in the salty sea air and hear the crashing ocean below. It gives you a spiritual feeling to be walking in the footsteps of pilgrims and monks.

Sliabh Liag Distillers

Sliabh Liag Distillers set out to reclaim the almost lost distilling heritage of county Donegal in 2016, and since then, Donegal’s first legal distillers in almost 180 years have gone from strength to strength. Employing 12 people at their distillery and operational hub in Carrick in the shadow of Sliabh Liag; the past year has seen them produce and donate hand-sanitiser to the hospitals and care homes of Donegal, while opening distribution in the Americas, Sweden and France. They’ve also been busy building of their new €6.5m distillery in the village of Ardara, which will be in production by autumn, and they have been picking up a few prestigious awards for their spirits along the way.

All the Sliabh Liag spirits have a unique sense of place and time and are inspired by the history, folklore and wild elemental landscape of Ireland’s most northerly county, all carrying a signature softness.

Moira’s “love letter from the Donegal coast” - An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin has at its heart five locally harvested seaweeds and is distilled in tiny batches, in their 500 litre Copper pot still (Méabh -she who intoxicates). An Dúlamán is a bright, refreshing and savoury gin capturing “draíocht na farraige”, or the magic of the sea and was awarded a highly prized gold medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Inspired by the mermaid legends of the Silkie seals, The Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskeys have been expertly blended as stepping-stones to the rich smoky style of Irish whiskey once synonymous with Donegal. The Legendary Silkie has the merest hint of peated single malt in the blend, while Dark Silkie, released just last May has 15% peated malt and is a super-soft blend with a salted caramel sweetness wrapped in a dry smoke blanket. Both Silkie and Dark Silkie were awarded the title of “Best Irish Blended Whiskey” in 2021 from The World Whiskeys Awards and 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition respectively.

Creating opportunity for all of Donegal is a focus for Sliabh Liag Distillers and while they will sadly remain closed for tours in the summer of 2021 they have been distilling the first whiskies in the county since 1841 alongside their gins and vodka. 2022 promises much brighter times with the new Ardara Distillery completed and a chance to see the scale of ambition that drove them to reclaim the distilling heritage of Donegal.

Follow @sliabhliagdistl

Visit www.sliabhliagdistillers.com

TIME WELL SPENT

Donegal Hotel Collection’s Elaine McInaw on discovering the joy and power of sea swimming

When life throws tragedy your way in the midst of a pandemic it can be hard to know what to do. Elaine McInaw was faced with just that when her beloved father passed away suddenly last year.

Having always been respectfully weary of the ocean, it was this heartbreaking and extremely sad time that encouraged a new perspective on the Atlantic. “My dad died three weeks after being diagnosed with cancer,” Elaine says of the moment she felt drawn to the sea. “One week later I was walking the shore, I stopped midwalk and sat down, watching the waves, the sun was glistening, and I thought I need to get into the water.”

And that was the beginning of a healing journey in the water last October.

“I was weary of the safety aspect of sea swimming,” she admits. “But was aware of a group of local swim clubs Sea Tonic and Wild Atlantic Dippers, so I reached out and arranged that the following day would be my first dip.” That first dip was a cool two minutes but she now spends anything up to 20 minutes or more swimming and just enjoying the moment.

“It’s actually really addictive the buzz you feel after each swim,” she says. “I’ve met some fabulous people. “I’m quite confident there is a healing both physically and emotionally when you immerse yourself in the sea. I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for that natural feel-good vibe.”

When she’s not in the water, Elaine is the Sales and Marketing Manager for the Donegal Hotel Collection. But despite a most-welcome busy season ahead, it can’t be all work and no play. “I’m a big Wild Atlantic Way girl,” Elaine says. “We’re blessed within the county of Donegal with 1134km of coast and I’ve done the majority of the signature points along it. “I love sea swimming as well but only started within my 5km locally, so I’m dying to get to a few new Blue Flag beaches. “I mostly swim close to home in Mountcharles Pier as it’s just 10 minutes from Donegal Town. This summer I intend to swim below the Sliagh Liag Cliffs with Sliagh Liag Boat Trips which depart daily from Teelin.” Harnessing that Wild Atlantic Wayinspired spirit and energy, has also applied to reopening the Donegal Hotel Collection’s three properties after lockdown - The Abbey Hotel, Central Hotel and Nesbitt Arms Boutique Hotel.

The collection’s two Donegal town hotels have both had bedroom upgrades. While the Nesbitt Boutique Hotel in the heritage town of Ardara has undergone a complete renovation.

“It feels really good to be opening up with a brand-new product there,” Elaine says. “Being closed gave us the opportunity to do all this and not have to work around guests. We just can’t wait to get started.”

But not before a splash in the healing Atlantic.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A DIP

Where to eat: Market House Steak & Seafood Restaurant, Central Alfresco for cocktails and tapas or afternoon tea, grab and go lunches from The Food Hall - all Donegal Town Where to drink: Irish coffees in Ramblers Bar in Ardara after a day out hiking Where to visit: Sliagh Liag Cliffs are spectacular. Include a boat trip with Sliagh Liag Boat Trips’ Paddy Byrne who’ll entertain you as you sail beneath the majestic cliffs. Glencolmcille Folk Village for history and culture, stop off at Silver Strand Beach Travel fact: Donegal Airport is the most scenic landing in the world beside Carrickfinn Beach

Walk the walk in Temple Bar

For an alternative way to see Dublin’s Temple Bar the Icon Walk takes you on a stroll with a difference through the lanes and alleyways of the city’s main cultural area. Snapshots of both contemporary and historical Irish figures can be found on the walls leading up to the Icon Factory Gallery, a public art project celebrating Ireland’s artistic personalities. The walk itself features original artwork by a variety of local artists with genius, oddball and larger than life figures from the worlds of film, literature, fashion and sport all getting a look in. Its creators promise the greatest walk ever strolled, you can be the judge of that when you go.